Manually controlled vehicle washing apparatus

ABSTRACT

Vehicle washing apparatus including a movable frame adapted to be driven in first and second opposite directions for passing over a vehicle to be washed, a pair of side brush assemblies disposed on the frame and transversely movable relative thereto, and a unitary control assembly which is manually movable to control both the movement of the frame and the transverse position of the side brush assemblies whereby the apparatus may be inexpensively manufactured and may be operated by the manipulation of only a single control device.

United States Patent [1 1 1 3,783,466 Bernardi 1 Jan. 8, 1974 [54] MANUALLY CONTROLLED VEHICLE 3,731,332 /1973 Bemardi /21 E WASHING APPARATUS [75] Inventor: Donald A. Bernardi, Camp Hill, Pa. [73] Assignee: Bernardi Bros. Inc., Harrisburg, Pa. [22] Filed: Oct. 26, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 192,154

[52] US. Cl. 15/21 E, l5/DlG. 2 [51] Int. Cl. B60s 3/06 [58] Field of Search IS/DIG. 2, 21 D, l5/2l E, 53, 97

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,581,335 6/1971 Saxonmeyer 15/53 3,706,109 12/1972 Bevier 15/21 E as f 48 no 50 N r l .1 n4

. 36 H2 l I06 72 |l6 I l IOO' Primary Examiner-Edward L. Roberts Att0rney-Anthony A. OBrien [5 7] ABSTRACT 12 Claims, 13 Drawing Figures 74 7e 9a 78 a2 PATENTEDJAN 8 m4 $783,466

sum 10; 5

FIG. I

PATENTEDJAR a 1914 SEEIBOFS w OE PATENTEDJAK 81974 SHEH '80? 5 m GE h QE MANUALLY CONTROLLED VEHICLE WASHING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to vehicle washing apparatus and, more particularly, to such apparatus which may be opperated by the manipulation of a unitary manual control assembly.

2. Description of the Prior Art With the growing number of vehicles of all types in use today has come an increased demand for improved vehicle washing apparatus, particularly of the type which may be economically manufactured and installed in existing spaces such as the unused bays of local automobile service stations. While initial equipment cost is a critical factor, it is of prime importance that such a vehicle washing apparatus be designed to provide thorough and efficient cleansing of the particular vehicle for which it is designed. For example, for a car wash to be effective with todays modern cars, it must be capable of washing the many varying surfaces, protrusions and indentations of the front and rear ends of the car as well as customary accessory equipment such as lights, registration tags, bumper guards and the like.

Accordingly, there have been many attempts to develop improved vehicle washing apparatus which is inexpensive, compact and thorough in operation. Initial attempts generally have been directed toward the design of manually operated apparatus because of the low cost of such equipment; however, such efforts have generally proven to be unsatisfactory due to the complexity of the manual controls and the need for extensive operator training. As a result, automated washing equipment of various types has received more widespread acceptance in spite of the increased cost.

While the need for an inexpensive yet efficient manual washing apparatus has existed for some time, apparatus of this type which is simple in operation and requires little or no operator training heretofore has been unavailable and has proven to be a material disadvantage to manufacturers, potential car wash operators and to the public as well.

SUMMARY or THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to construct vehicle washing apparatus which is inexpensive and is capable of thoroughly washing vehicles having irregular surface contours.

Another object of this invention is to control efficiently a vehicle washing apparatus adapted to move over a stationary vehicle by means of a unitary manual control assembly which requires minimal operator instruction.

The present invention is summarized in that vehicle washing apparatus includes a movable frame, a drive assembly connected with the frame and having first and second states for driving the frame in first and second opposite directions, respectively, side brush assemblies, support assemblies connecting the side brush assemblies with the frame and being movable between retracted and extended positions for transversely moving the side brush assemblies relative to the frame, motor assemblies connected with the side brush assemblies for rotating the same, and unitary manual control apparatus operatively connected with the drive assembly and the support assemblies and movable to control selectively both the state of the drive assembly and the position of the support assemblies whereby the vehicle washing apparatus may be operated by the manipulation of a single control device.

The present invention is advantageous over prior art washing apparatus in that initial equipment cost as well as operator instruction is minimized, that washing ap paratus is controlled by the manipulation of a single primary control lever, and that irregular vehicle surfaces are thoroughly cleaned.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of vehicle washing apparatus embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram partially in block form of a control circuit of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3-12 are diagrammatic plan views of a preferred washing sequence performed by the apparatus of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a control panel of the apparatus of FIGql.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Vehicle washing apparatus according to the present invention is illustrated in perspective in FIG. 1 and is described hereinafter for use with automobiles; however, it will be appreciated that the present apparatus may be used with equal efficacy to wash any of various types of vehicle due to the location and operation of the brushes and the unique flexibility of operation of the control mechanism.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the apparatus of the present invention includes an inverted U-shaped frame 20 made of suitable material such as tubular steel and having a top member 22 and side members 24 and 26 which are attached to carriage units 28 and 30, respectively, at their lower ends. Carriage units 28 and 30 are adapted to ride on a pair of parallel rails 32 and 34, respectively, which extend throughout the length of a wash bay housing the apparatus. An elongated camming lobe 35 protrudes from a lateral interior surface of rail 34 adjacent the area normally occupied by the front portion of a vehicle to be washed and cooperates with a reversing or sequencing switch to be described below.

A rectangular frame or support 36, including end members 38 and 40 and side members 42 and 44, is pivotally suspended from top member 22 of frame 20 on a shaft 46 supported by a pair of plates 48 and 50. A rotatable top brush- 52 has a hub assembly generally indicated at 54 supported by a pair of arms 56 and 58 which are pivotally mounted at the end of frame 36 adjacent end member 38.

An electric motor 60 is interconnected through suitable sprocket and gear assemblies to hub 54 of top brush 52 for rotating the same. End member 40 may be filled with lead or other dead weight to act as a counterbalance for top brush 52, and a connecting rod 62 may be secured to plate 48 and arm 56 in order to maintain top brush 52 at a preselected desired angle.

A pneumatic cylinder 64 is secured to the offset end of a member 66 extending vertically from top member 22 of frame 20, and piston shaft 68 of cylinder 64 is secured to end member 40 of top brush support frame 36. Shaft 68 is normally extended to maintain top brush 52 in its rest position well above the upper surface of a vehicle to be washed.

Side brushes 70 and 72 are pivotally supported on either side of frame 20 by side members 24 and 26, respectively; and, since the supporting and control structure for each side brush is the same, only the assembly for side brush 70 will be described hereinafter for the sake of brevity. The elements of the assembly for side brush 72 corresponding to the elements described with respect to the assembly for side brush 70 are given the same reference numerals with primes.

The assembly for side brush 70 includes a link member 74 pivotally mounted at one end between a pair of vertically spaced flanges 76 and 78 attached to side member 24 of frame 20. The other end of link member 74 is pivotally mounted between vertically spaced arms 80 and 82 of a small clevis which is integrally formed with a larger clevis by a common vertical member 84. The larger clevis has a pair of spaced horizontal arms 86 and 88 which rotatably support a hub assembly 90 for side brush 70. An electric motor 92 is mounted on arm 86 and is suitably connected with hub assembly 90 to drive side brush 70. A connecting rod 94 is attached to flange 76 and arm 80 to maintain side brush 70 at a preselected desired angle. A pneumatic cylinder 96 is attached to side member 24 and has a piston shaft 98 attached to link member 74 such that side brush 70 may be moved between retracted and extended positions as will be more fully described below.

Carriage units 28 and 30 are similar in construction and rotatably support a plurality of wheels 100 which are adapted to ride on guide rails 32 and 34. Carriage unit 28 includes a housing 102 within which is mounted a drive motor 104 which is connected with at least one of the wheels 100 by suitable gear and sprocket assemblies (not shown).

An inverted U-shaped pipe 106, which is closed at its ends, is secured to frame 20 and defines a plurality of spray nozzles 108 for applying washing fluid such as water and detergent and rinse water onto a vehicle to be washed. Washing and rinsing fluids communicate with pipe 106 via a flexible hose 110 which may be at tached to pipe 106 at a comer thereof, as illustrated in FIG. 1, or at any other desired point.

An operator platform 112 is mounted atop carriage 30 and includes side walls 114 and 116 which are at least partially constructed of a transparent material, such as glass or plastic. A control panel 118 is secured to wall 114 of platform 112 and houses the control circuitry according to the present invention, as illustrated schematically in FIG. 2.

The control circuitry shown in FIG. 2 receives power from a suitable source of single or three-phase electricity as represented by terminal 200. A main power switch 202 feeds power from source to a main power bus 204 to which are connected a water control switch 206, a set of normally-open and normally-closed contacts of a relay 208, a main input terminal 210 of a unitary lever controlled switching assembly 212, and a common terminal of a neutral-biased, double-throw jog switch 214. Water control switch '206 feeds power to an electrically controlled water valve 216 which is connected at its inlet to a source of water (not shown) and at its outlet to conduit 1 10 for supplying spray arch 106.

The normally-open contacts of relay 208 are connected through a wax control switch 218 to supply operating potential to a pump 220 having a suitable liquid wax reservoir 222 connected at an inlet port thereof and being connected at its outlet port to feed conduit 110. The normally-closed contacts of relay 208 are connected through a foot control switch 224, which is preferably secured to the floor of operator platform 112 (FIG. 1), and a branched lead 225 to a starter 226 which feeds top brush motor 60 as well as to an electrical operator of an electrically controlled twoway air valve 228. It should be noted that the starter 226 is connected with motor 60 in a conventional manner so as to start the motor rotating in the same direction each time power is supplied thereto. Air valve 228 supplies pressurized. air from a main supply conduit 230 to a first outlet port 232 only in the absence of electrical energization, and similarly supplies air to a second outlet port 234 only upon receipt of an electrical signal from foot switch 224. Outlet ports 232 and 234 are connected with the top brush pneumatic cylinder 64 in the manner depicted in FIG. 2 such that piston shaft 68 is extended so as to raise the top brush 52 away from a vehicle to be washed when valve 228 is deenergized and is retracted so as to lower the top brush against the upper surface of the vehicle when valve 228 is electrically actuated. Supply conduit 230 is fed from a suitable air pressure source (not shown) through an electrically actuated diverter valve 236 which has its exhaust port vented through a pressure regulator 238; in this manner, the pressure in supply conduit 230 is relatively high when diverter valve 236 is deenergized and drops to a relatively low level, dependent upon the setting or regulator 238, when diverter valve 236 is actuated.

The two output terminals of jog switch 214 are respectively connected to a forward starter 240 and a reverse starter 242 for drive motor 104. Starters 240 and 242 are wired to motor 104 in a conventional manner such that the frame 20 may be selectively driven in either the forward or the reverse direction.

Switching assembly 212 preferably includes a plurality of electrical switches which are operated in response to the movement of a single control lever 250 (see FIG. 13) in any of four orthogonal directions from a neutral or centrally-biased point. For the sake of brevity and clarity, the various individual switching contacts of assembly 212 are not shown in FIG. 2; however, the different sets of output terminals which are connected with input terminal 210 in response to the movement of lever 250 are clearly indentifled by a legend corresponding to that used in the chart depicted on assembly 212 in FIG. 2. In other words, if lever 250 is moved left to position B, for example, input terminal 210 will be electrically connected to three separate output terminals only which are grouped together and are identified by the letter B in FIG. 2.

One of the forward (FWD) output terminals of assembly 212 is connected via branched lead 252 to the energizing coil for relay 208 as well as to the forward starter 240 for drive motor 104. Similarly, a reverse (REV) output terminal is connected to reverse starter 242 by a lead 254. One output terminal for each of positions A, B, and REV, is connected by a line 256 to supply an electric pump 258 having an inlet port connected to receive a suitable detergent from a reservoir 260 and an outlet port communicating with conduit 110.

One of the A outputs of switching assembly 212 is connected via lead 262 to an electrical operator of a two-way air valve 264 having an inlet communicating with supply conduit 230 and first and second outlets 266 and 268 which are connected with cylinder 96' for the left side brush 72 such that valve 264 supplies pressurized air via port 266 to retract the side brush 72 when deenergized and likewise supplies pressurized air via port 268 to extend the side brush upon receipt of an electrical signal on line 262. In an identical manner, one of the B outputs of switching assembly 212 is connectedby a line 270 to an electrical operator of a twoway air valve 272 which has its inlet port connected with conduit 230 and first and second outlets 274 and 276 which communicate with cylinder 96 for the right sidebrush 70.

One of the forward (FWD) outputs and one of the reverse (REV) outputs of assembly 212 are connected together at branched line 280 and feed an energizing coil of a relay 282 as well as one side of each of the three sets of normally-open contacts thereof. The other sides of the contacts of relay 282 are connected respectively to lines 262 and 270 for supplying the electrical operators of air valves 264 and 272 as well as to a line 284 which feeds the electrical operator of diverter valve 236.

A neutral (N) output terminal of switch 212 is connected by a line 286 to an energizing coil of a relay 288 which has to sets of normally-open contacts also connected to line 286. It should be understood, of course, that the energizing coil of relay 288 is returned to ground in the conventional manner. Similar connections exist from a forward (FWD), A, B, and reverse (REV) output terminal of assembly 212 via lines 290, 292, 294, and 296 to relays 298, 300, 302 and 304, respectively, which are wired identically to that of relay 288 as illustrated in FIG. 2.

Relays 288, 300 and 302 are connected to feed an electrical signal from switching assembly 212 through a reversing switch 306 to motors 92 and 92' for right and left side brushes 70 and 72, respectively. Reversing switch 306 is mounted on frame and includes two identical sections each having a pair of input terminals 308-310 and 312-314 and a pair of output terminals 316-318 and 320-322, respectively. An actuating lever 324 for switch 306 has a suitable roller 326 rotatably disposed on a distal end thereof and is adapted to cooperate with lobe 35 of rail 34 to move between a first position (illustrated with solid lines) and a second position (illustrated with dashed lines) in response to the movement of frame 20. When lever 324 is in its first position, switch 306 interconnects input terminals 308, 310, 312 and 314 with output terminals 316, 318, 320 and 322, respectively; however, when lever 324 is moved to its second position the connections for each section of switch 306 are reversed such that terminals 308, 310, 312 and 314 are interconnected with output terminals 318, 316, 322 and 320, respectively, as illustrated by the crossed, dashed lines.

The two sets of contacts of relay 288 are connected to switch 306 at terminals 310 and 312, respectively, while those of relays 300 and 302 are likewise connected with terminals 308 and 312 and terminals 310 and 314, respectively. Output terminals 316 and 318 are connected via lines 328 and 330 to counterclockwise and clockwise starters 332 and 334, respectively, of the left side brush drive motor 92', and output termi nals 320 and 322 are connected via lines 336 and 338 to counterclockwise and clockwise starters 340 and 342, respectively, of the right side brush drive motor 92.

Before proceeding to a description of the operation of the apparatus of the present invention and referring to FIG. 13, it can be seen that lever 250 of switching assembly 212 as well as the main power switch 202, the water control switch 206, the jog switch 214 and the wax control switch 218 are all mounted on control panel 118 in a convenient position for use by the apparatus operator. As will become more readily apparent below, primary control of the vehicle washing apparatus according to the present invention may be had by the simple manipulation of unitary control lever 250 alone.

In operation, and referring to FIGS. 3-12, a vehicle 350 to be washed is driven into the wash bay and stopped at a preselected position as shown in FIG. 3. Thereafter, the car wash operator, riding on platform 112, actuates main power switch 202 (FIG. 2) which supplies operating potential via power bus 204 to input 210 of switching assembly 212. The operator then moves lever 250 of switching assembly 212 to the reverse (REV) position so as to supply operating potential to the four REV output terminals thereof as shown in FIG. 2. As a result, operating potential is fed by line 254 from one of the REV terminals to the reverse starter 242 of drive motor 104. Frame 20 is then driven back toward the vehicle 350 from the position diagramatically shown in FIG. 3 to that shown in FIG. 4. At this same time, water control switch 206 is actuated to supply power to the electrical operator for valve 216 such that water is supplied through conduit to the car wash spray arch 106.

When the frame 20 reaches the position shown in FIG. 4, control lever 250 is released to its neutral biased position whereupon an electrical signal will be supplied from output terminal N of switching assembly 212 through lead 286 and relay 288 to terminals 310 and 312 of revering switch 306. When frame 20 reaches the position illustrated in FIG. 4, lever 324 of reversing switch 306 will have been moved by lobe 35 of rail 34 to its second position (shown dashed) causing the interconnection of input terminals 310 and 312 of switch 306 with output terminals 316 and 322, respectively. Consequently, the left brush motor 92 will begin rotating in a counterclockwise direction while the right brush motor 92 will begin rotating clockwise as depicted in FIG. 4.

At this point, the operator is ready to wash the front of the car whereupon lever 250 is moved to the A position to provide the washing step illustrated in FIG. 5. This causes the application of operating potential to the three A output terminals of assembly 212, resulting in the energization of detergent pump 258 via line 256 such that soapy water is sprayed onto the front of the car 350. Furthermore, the electrical signal on line 292 actuates relay 300 so as to produce the clockwise rotation of both the left and the right brushes 72 and 70, respectively, through terminals 308 and 318 and terminals 312 and 322 of the tripped reversing switch 306. Also, the signal from assembly 212 on line 262 causes the actuation of valve 264 so as to extend piston shaft 98 of cylinder 96' for moving brush 72 to its extended position which is preferably just beyond the centerline of the vehicle 350 being washed. It is noted that since diverter valve 236 is not energized when lever 250 is in position A, full pressure from the air pressure supply will be fed to conduit 230 and thence to cylinder 96' so as to assure full movement of the left brush 72 to its extended position. It is further noted that in all of the washing steps in addition to that just described, the rotation of the various washing brushes is always in a directionto aid the movement of the brush along the vehicle surface being washed for precluding the tangling or fouling of the brush strands.

Following the completed movement of the left brush 72, the operator then moves lever 250 to position B which removes power from the A output terminals and applies power to the B terminals of assembly 212. Detergent pump 258 remains energized since both the A and B output terminals are connected with line 256; however, the removal of the electrical signal from line 262 causes valve 264 to return to its deenergized position whereby piston shaft 98 is retracted to move left brush 72 back from the vehicle to its rest position, as is illustrated in FIG. 6. At the same time, line 270, which is connected with one of the 8 output terminals, supplies operating potential to valve 272 which becomes actuated so as to cause the extension of piston shaft 98 for moving right brush 70 across the front of the car 350. Since both the left and right brushes are moved to the left as a result of the movement of lever 250 to position B, they must both rotate in a counterclockwise direction at this time. To provide this function, relay 300 is deenergized, and the signal on line 294 from terminal B of assembly 212 actuates relay 302 so as to supply operating potential through terminals '310 and 316 and terminals 314 and 320 of tripped switch 306 for starting motors 92 and 92' rotating counterclockwise.

The washing of the front of car 350 is completed by releasing lever 250 to its neutral position whereupon the energizing signal from output B of switch assembly 212 for actuating valve 272 is removed so as to withdraw brush 70 to its rest position as shown in FIG. 7. Of course, as before, the neutral position of lever 250 deenergizes relay 302 and simultaneously actuates relay 288 whereupon the left brush 72 is maintained rotating in a counterclockwise direction while the rotation of right brush 70 is reversed to rotate clockwise.

Upon completion of the washing of the front of car 350, the operator moves lever 250 to the reverse position so as to begin the top and side washing sequence. Referring to FIG. 2, since power is supplied to foot switch 224 by the normally-closed contacts of relay 208 when the relay is not energized, the closure of switch 224 causes the energization of motor 60 through starter 226 and further causes the actuation of valve 228 which allows piston shaft 68 to be withdrawn into cylinder 64 for pivoting frame 36 thereby lowering top brush 52 onto the upper surface of car 350. Thus, upon initiating the reverse movement of lever 250, the operator simultaneously begins the top washing sequence by actuating foot switch 224.

The movement of lever 250 for the reverse position causes operating potential to be applied to the four REV output terminals of assembly 212, which produces four effects. First, power is supplied via line 254 to the reverse starter 242 of motor 104 which then begins to move frame 20 over the car 350 as shown in FIG. 8. Second, detergent pump 258 is maintained energized via lead 256. Third, side brush motors 92' and 92 are caused to rotate in counterclockwise and clockwise directions, respectively, by the direct connection of switch assembly 212 with starters 332 and 342 by line 296 and relay 304. Fourth, the signal on line 280 actuates relay 282 so as to actuate diverter valve 236 as well as valves 264 and 272. As a result of the actuation of diverter valve 236, the pressure in conduit 230 drops to a relatively low level such that the top, left and right brushes are gently urged against the surfaces of car 350 for effective washing without damage to the car or the washing apparatus.

As frame 20 moves over the car 350, performing the above-described washing operations, lever 324 of switch 306 will be released to its first position as wheel 326 rolls off lobe 35. Thus, the apparatus will be automatically sequenced in preparation for the washing of the rear of the vehicle 350. It can be appreciated that this sequencing or reversing step is necessary to assure that the direction of rotation of side brushes and 72 is such as to assist in the movement of the brushes across the rear of the car as explained above. In other words, since the front of the car is washed by the right side of the brushes (as visualized in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7) and since the rear of the car is washed by the left side of the brushes (as visualized in FIGS. 9, 10 and l l), the direction of rotation of the two side brushes must be reversed in order to provide the desired operation. As noted, this function is automatically provided by reversing switch 306 and its cooperation with track lobe 35.

The rear surface washing sequence is identical with the front surface washing sequence described above and thus will not be described again for the sake of brevity. However, it is noted that when the side and top washing sequence is complete, the operator releases foot switch 224 causing top brush 52 to cease rotation and deenergizing valve 228 to move the top brush upwardly away from the vehicle. Lever 250 is also released to its neutral position which causes the frame 20 to stop in the position shown in FIG. 9. Thereafter, lever 250 is moved to position A to cause left brush 72 to wash the left rear vehicle surface (FIG. 9), is then moved to position B to complete the washing of the left rear surface and begins the washing of the right rear surface (FIG. 10), and finally is released to the neutral (N) position to complete the washing of the right rear surface (FIG. 11).

With the first pass of frame 20 complete, the frame is then moved forward over car 350 to complete the rinsing sequence. This step is effected by moving lever 250 to the forward (FWD) position which causes the application of an electrical signal to the forward starter 240 of drive motor 104 via line 252. The signal on line 252 also energizes relay 208 which removes power from the foot switch 224, so as to preclude operation of the topbrush, and simultaneously applies power to wax control switch 218. If the application of wax to the vehicle is desired, the operator need only throw switch 218 which causes pump 220 to feed a suitable wax solution from reservoir 222 to water supply conduit of the spray arch 106.Also, since line 256 is not energized during the forward sequence, no detergent will be supplied to the spray arch by pump 258.

The output signal on the FDW terminals of assembly 212 also causes the energization of relay 282 via line 280 such that diverter valve 236 and valves 264 and 272 are actuated for urging the side brushes 70 and 72 gently against the side of car 350 as shown in FIG. 12. Relay 298 is also actuated to cause the rotation of motors 92 and 92 in clockwise and counterclockwise directions, respectively, as is desired.

Upon completion of the forward pass of frame over the vehicle 350, the frame is moved to the position illustrated in FIG. 3, lever 250 is released to its neutral position, and main power switch 202 is turned off whereupon the washing sequence is completed, and the vehicle 350 may be driven from the wash bay area.

As can be appreciated from the above sequence, whereever the front and rear surfaces of the vehicle are being washed, lever 250 will be in either position A or position B. Since lever 250 cannot be moved to more than one position at a time, and since it may be necessary or desirable to slightly move frame 20 in a forward or reverse direction when the front or rear surfaces of the car are being washed, jog switch 214 is provided on the control panel 118 for selectively energizing drive motor 104 through either the forward starter 240 or the reverse starter 242 as shown in FIG. 2. Thus, the operator need not interrupt the front or rear washing sequence should any correction in the longitudinal position of frame 20 be required. Furthermore, the jog switch 214 enables the operator to precisely follow any exaggerated surface protrusions of the front or rear of the vehicle being washed, as is often the case with to days modern automobiles.

It should also be reiterated that according to the unique control circuitry embodied in FIG. 2, primary control of the washing apparatus of the present invention is effected by the simple manipulation of the single lever of switching assembly 212 which enables control of the operation of both the washing brushes and the movement of frame 20 with minimal operator instruction. Furthermore, the control circuit of the present invention automatically assures the proper washing of a vehicle by providing for the dispensing of detergent only when the side brushes are being extended or when the frame is moving backward over the vehicle, by pro viding for the dispensing of wax only during the rinsing sequence when the frame is moving forward, and by precluding the operation of the top brush during the rinsing cycle when the frame is moving forward.

Inasmuch as the present invention is subject to many variations, modifications and changes in detail, it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

1. Vehicle washing apparatus comprising a movable frame,

" drive means connected with said frame and having first and second states for driving said frame in first and second opposite directions, respectively, side brush means, support means connecting said side brush means with said frame and being movable between retracted and extended positions for transversely moving said side brush means relative to said frame,

motor means connected with said side brush means for rotating the same, and

unitary manual control means operatively connected with said drive means and said support means and movable to control selectively both the state of said drive means and the position of said support means whereby the vehicle washing apparatus may be operated by the manipulation of a single control de vice.

2. The invention as recited in claim 1 wherein said support meansincludes electropneumatic means electrically connected with said unitary manual control means for moving said side brush means in response to preselected movement of said unitary manual control means.

3. The invention as recited in claim 1 wherein said motor means has first and second states for rotating said side brush means in first and second opposite directions, respectively, and wherein said unitary manual control means is connected with said motor means for controlling the state of said motor means.

4. The invention as recited in claim 3 wherein said frame is movable along a predetermined path of travel between a first position adjacent the front of a vehicle to be washed and a second position adjacent the rear of the vehicle, and further including switching means mounted on said frame and interconnecting said unitary manual control means with said motor means, said switching means being responsive to movement of said frame from said first position to said second position for reversing the resultant rotational movement of said motor means produced by the manipulation of said unitary manual control means.

5. The invention as recited in claim 1 wherein said unitary manual control means includes a manually operable lever movable along first and second intersecting paths for controlling the state of said drive means and the position of said support means, respectively.

6. The invention as recited in claim 5 further including supplemental manual control means operatively connected with said drive means for controlling the state thereof whereby movement of said frame may be controlled during periods when said lever of said unitary manual control means is positioned along said second path.

7. The invention as recited in claim 5 wherein said unitary manual control means includes a plurality of electrical switches selectively operable in response to movement of said manually operable lever along said first and second paths. I

8. The invention as recited in claim 5 wherein said manually operable lever is biased to a position intermediate said first and second paths.

9. The invention as recited in claim 8 wherein said unitary manual control means is operative to place said drive means in said first state when said manually oper able lever is moved along said first path in a first direction from said intermediate position, and wherein said unitary manual control means is operative to place said drive means in said second state when said manually operable lever is moved along said first path in a second direction from said intermediate position.

10. The invention as recited in claim 8 wherein said unitary manual control means coacts with said support means to place said support means in said extended position when said manually operable lever is moved along said second path from said intermediate position.

1 1. The invention as recited in claim 10 wherein said side brush means includes first and second side 0nd path in a first direction from said intermediate position, and wherein said unitary manual control means coacts with said second support assembly to place said second side brush in an extended position toward said first side brush when said manually operable lever is moved along said second path in a second direction from said intermediate position. 

1. Vehicle washing apparatus comprising a movable frame, drive means connected with said frame and having first and second states for driving said frame in first and second opposite directions, respectively, side brush means, support means connecting said side brush means with said frame and being movable between retracted and extended positions for transversely moving said side brush means relative to said frame, motor means connected with said side brush means for rotating the same, and unitary manual control means operatively connected with said drive means and said support means and movable to control selectively both the state of said drive means and the position of said support means whereby the vehicle washing apparatus may be operated by the manipulation of a single control device.
 2. The invention as recited in claIm 1 wherein said support means includes electropneumatic means electrically connected with said unitary manual control means for moving said side brush means in response to preselected movement of said unitary manual control means.
 3. The invention as recited in claim 1 wherein said motor means has first and second states for rotating said side brush means in first and second opposite directions, respectively, and wherein said unitary manual control means is connected with said motor means for controlling the state of said motor means.
 4. The invention as recited in claim 3 wherein said frame is movable along a predetermined path of travel between a first position adjacent the front of a vehicle to be washed and a second position adjacent the rear of the vehicle, and further including switching means mounted on said frame and interconnecting said unitary manual control means with said motor means, said switching means being responsive to movement of said frame from said first position to said second position for reversing the resultant rotational movement of said motor means produced by the manipulation of said unitary manual control means.
 5. The invention as recited in claim 1 wherein said unitary manual control means includes a manually operable lever movable along first and second intersecting paths for controlling the state of said drive means and the position of said support means, respectively.
 6. The invention as recited in claim 5 further including supplemental manual control means operatively connected with said drive means for controlling the state thereof whereby movement of said frame may be controlled during periods when said lever of said unitary manual control means is positioned along said second path.
 7. The invention as recited in claim 5 wherein said unitary manual control means includes a plurality of electrical switches selectively operable in response to movement of said manually operable lever along said first and second paths.
 8. The invention as recited in claim 5 wherein said manually operable lever is biased to a position intermediate said first and second paths.
 9. The invention as recited in claim 8 wherein said unitary manual control means is operative to place said drive means in said first state when said manually operable lever is moved along said first path in a first direction from said intermediate position, and wherein said unitary manual control means is operative to place said drive means in said second state when said manually operable lever is moved along said first path in a second direction from said intermediate position.
 10. The invention as recited in claim 8 wherein said unitary manual control means coacts with said support means to place said support means in said extended position when said manually operable lever is moved along said second path from said intermediate position.
 11. The invention as recited in claim 10 wherein said side brush means includes first and second side brushes, and wherein said support means includes first and second support assemblies for said first and second side brushes, respectively, said first and second support assemblies being connected to said frame in opposition.
 12. The invention as recited in claim 11 wherein said unitary manual control means coacts with said first support assembly to place said first side brush in an extended position toward said second side brush when said manually operable lever is moved along said second path in a first direction from said intermediate position, and wherein said unitary manual control means coacts with said second support assembly to place said second side brush in an extended position toward said first side brush when said manually operable lever is moved along said second path in a second direction from said intermediate position. 